This is set after the Battle of Hogwarts - and so the year group that Harry, Hermione and Ron were in are advised to spend an Eighth Year at Hogwarts. [I know, typical fanfiction - but it does get better, I promise!] And thus, continuing with the typical theme, Hermione ends up as Head Girl - and the place of Head Boy is given to a familiar Slytherin we all know and love... (take a guess as to who THAT could be)

This is going to be a multi-chapter story; I plan to put up a chapter each day/every couple of days (apologies if I don't stick very well to this, I'm terrible at being organised).

I've rated it T - I could put it at a k+, but you can't be too careful with these things; and I don't know exactly what'll come up in future chapters. It should be completely fine, though :)

Anyway, let me know if there are any minor mistakes or any possible improvements I can make!

Enjoy reading :D

Hermione crossed the room over to where Harry stood, having to reluctantly pull herself away from Ron's arms. The three were all within the bleak but homely abode of 12 Grimmauld Place, Ron and Hermione previously sat wrapped up together on the sofa, when Harry had stepped in with a letter in hand.

"What do you mean, it's for me," Hermione questioned, taking the enveloped message from him.

"It's from Hogwarts," Harry explained with a shrug.

Ron strode over to stand behind Hermione, glancing at the letter from over her shoulder. "Hogwarts?" he frowned. "But they already sent us our letters."
It was now the summer for the three of them – that is, if they had just spent the last year at school. As it was, this had been the year they'd gone to destroy the remaining horcruxes, and they had finally triumphed over Voldemort at the battle of Hogwarts.

Of course, since they had missed a whole year of education – as did most of the rest of the school, considering those that had tainted the school by managing it in their own ways, they being death eaters – the newly found headmistress, Professor McGonagall, decided it would be best for those in the same year as the trio to stay within education for another year. This announcement had been sent out via owl, which all three of the young adults had received at Grimmauld Place not that long ago.

Hermione opened up the letter and quickly scanned through the message. The corners of her mouth twitched upwards in relief and happiness. "Oh," she breathed, looking up to smile at Ron and Harry. "I'm going to be Head Girl."

"Really?" Harry grabbed the letter out of her grasp to read it himself. "That's… brilliant, Hermione."
"I knew you'd be Head Girl, if the chance ever came along," Ron nodded, patting Hermione affectionately. "I've always said you're amazing at everything."
Hermione snorted, and Harry rose his eyebrows towards the now bemused looking redhead.

Malfoy Manor was dull and bleak, as was the cold expression on Draco Malfoy's face, who sat within the black leather armchair facing the fireplace, of which the hearth was bare. His fingers steepled under his chin as he glared ahead of him, teeth grinding within the grip of his clenched jaw. All that could be heard within the whole of the Manor was his ragged breathing, echoing throughout the unadorned, abandoned household.

Tears streaked down his face; he'd long ago stopped bothering to wipe his face dry. His skin was chalky, a dull tainted white with dark rims circling his reddened eyes. His cheekbones protruded sharply, giving his face an unhealthy, undernourished look. This was enhanced by his skeletal fingers, knuckles looking ready to tear through his skin. His platinum blonde hair fell across his face in a dishevelled manner.

Draco's breathing slowed, until he was able to keep it at a controlled, reasonable pace. He shook his head as he dipped it down to rest in his palms, with closed eyes. After several moments, he brought his head back up, and reopened his eyes. In front of him, balanced upon one arm of the chair, now sat an envelope, with his name written upon the front.

With a frown, he picked it up, turning it over to break the seal of wax – embedded with the crest of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.